Articles by Steven Roby
Delfeayo Marsalis on Street Rhythms and the Spirit of Mardi Gras
by Steven Roby
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby sits down with acclaimed trombonist, producer, and educator Delfeayo Marsalis. A 2011 NEA Jazz Master and a member of New Orleans' legendary musical first family, Marsalis has earned a reputation as a “merchant of joy" and a vital ambassador for the Crescent City's culture. Delfeayo shares stories from his childhood in Kendall, Louisiana, where he shared a room with his father, Ellis, while his brothers, Branford and Wynton, ...
Continue ReadingInside Trio Grande's Genre-Defying Sound
by Steven Roby
What happens when you combine a London-born saxophonist, an Israeli guitarist, and a drummer who also plays bass? You get Trio Grande--a modern jazz supergroup rewriting the rules of the trio format. In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby sits down with Will Vinson to explore the band's evolution from a Paul Motian-inspired vision to a bass-heavy (not bass-less!) powerhouse featuring the incomparable Nate Wood and guitarist Gilad Hekselman. Backstage Bay Area brings ...
Continue ReadingGreg Osby on Minimalism and the Evolution of Modern Jazz
by Steven Roby
From St. Louis to the World Stage: Greg Osby shares how growing up surrounded by live music in St. Louis bars and his mother's record distribution job shaped his non-biased appreciation for all genres of music. The “Mad Clown Music" Revelation: A candid conversation with his sister led Osby to completely rethink his compositional approach, resulting in his 2023 album Minimalism. Playlist Greg Osby “Minimalism" from Minimalism (Inner Circle Music) 00:00 Greg Osby “Thank You for ...
Continue ReadingSimon Phillips on Protocol, Precision, and the Power of the Hang
by Steven Roby
Legendary drummer Simon Phillips joins host Steve Roby to discuss five decades of rhythmic mastery, from teenage session work in 1970s London to leading the modern jazz fusion powerhouse Protocol.Fresh off the acclaimed 2022 release Protocol V, Simon reveals he's already recorded Protocol VI, set to drop this spring alongside a major European tour. He discusses his new approach of road-testing material live before release, following in the footsteps of Tony Williams and his late collaborator Harami.
Continue ReadingMichael League's Musical Universe Unleashed
by Steven Roby
Five-time Grammy winner Michael League sat down with Steve Roby to discuss his groundbreaking residency at SFJAZZ Center--a five-night exploration that shatters the “one-band" label and reveals the full spectrum of his creative life. Best known as the founder of Snarky Puppy, League has spent his career defying categorization. In this conversation, he opens up about why he's never been content being “Mr. Snarky Puppy," his evolution from band leader to curator and “designated hitter," and how his ...
Continue ReadingFrom Hendrix to Henderson: Marcus Machado's Black Psychedelic Funk Journey
by Steven Roby
Guitarist Marcus Machado joins host Steve Roby to discuss his journey from childhood prodigy to genre-blurring artist. Dubbed “the next young gun" by Rolling Stone, Machado has toured and recorded with Anderson Paak, Robert Glasper, and Jon Batiste, while his film scores have appeared in award-winning documentaries.Playlist Marcus Machado “Get By" from Aquarius Purple (Soul Step Records) Marcus Machado “Black Psychedelic Funk" from Aquarius Purple (Soul Step Records) ...
Continue ReadingHamilton de Holanda's Choro Revolution
by Steven Roby
In this episode, host Steve Roby sits down with Grammy-winning Brazilian mandolin virtuoso Hamilton de Holanda to discuss his innovative approach to the 10- string bandolim, and the deep connections between choro and jazz. The conversation explores two featured tracks from Hamilton's Latin Grammy-winning live album, recorded in New York City. Playlist Hamilton de Holanda “Afro Choro" from Live in NYC (Sony Music) Hamilton de Holanda “o1 Byte 10 Cordas" from Live in NYC (Sony Music, 2025) ...
Continue ReadingBraxton Cook's Collaborative Evolution
by Steven Roby
Alto saxophonist, vocalist, and composer Braxton Cook joins podcast host Steve Roby for an intimate conversation about his latest album Not Everyone Can Go--a deeply personal record that captures the intersection of touring life, fatherhood, and artistic evolution.Playlist Braxton Cook “My Everything" from Not Everyone Can Go (Nettwerk Music Group) Braxton Cook “Kingdom Come" from Not Everyone Can Go (Nettwerk Music Group) ...
Continue ReadingChico Pinheiro and Vinicius Cantuária: Brazilian Guitar Dialogues
by Steven Roby
Brazilian guitarist and composer Chico Pinheiro joins Backstage Bay Area to talk about his musical journey, his duo collaboration with Vinicius Cantuaria, and the stories behind his compositions “City of Dreams" and “Estrada Real" ahead of their upcoming West Coast shows.A DownBeat Rising Star guitarist, Pinheiro reflects on his early start as a working musician in jny: São Paulo, how Jimi Hendrix first pulled him to the guitar, and why fun has always been central to his artistic ...
Continue ReadingTaylor Eigsti Comes Home, Carrying the Fire Forward
by Steven Roby
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, we sit down with two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer Taylor Eigsti. A Menlo Park native who released his debut album at age 14, Eigsti has evolved from a local prodigy into one of the most versatile and celebrated voices in modern jazz. Fresh off his 2025 Grammy win for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, Plot Armor (GroundUP Music, 2024), Eigsti joins us to discuss his deep Bay Area roots, the emotional architecture of ...
Continue Reading
